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Hopkinton supervisor: Community has ‘renewed sense of identity’ after wind talks; unsure if she will seek reelection

Posted 6/21/18

By MATT LINDSEY HOPKINTON -- Hopkinton Town Supervisor Sue Wood says her community has a renewed sense of identity following two years of residents sparring over a proposed wind farm that would have …

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Hopkinton supervisor: Community has ‘renewed sense of identity’ after wind talks; unsure if she will seek reelection

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

HOPKINTON -- Hopkinton Town Supervisor Sue Wood says her community has a renewed sense of identity following two years of residents sparring over a proposed wind farm that would have seen the construction of at least 27 500- to 600-foot turbines.

“Although we appear to be shattered, our community has a renewed sense of identity,” she said. “There is a community spirit which seemed to have disappeared.”

The wind farm, which wind developer Avangrid Renewables says would have brought $30 million in economic benefits to the town, county, schools, individuals and created many temporary construction jobs and upward of six permanent jobs, was heavily debated, ruined friendships and turned neighbors against each other.

Wood herself was subjected to accusations and allegedly harassed from pro-wind residents as her stance changed over time from supporting the project to being wary of the wind company’s motives.

“After attending all the different meetings, I went from a believer in the project to one that wanted a fair and protective law for our citizens,” Wood said. “I feel that our Wind Advisory Board was able to provide this.”

The task of deciding if a wind farm was in the best interest of her community was not an easy one for Wood, she said, but she is taking it as a learning experience.

“I have learned so many things over the past two years,” she said. “You really need to do your own research on specific items. I am glad that I was able to attend all the public meetings held, both in Hopkinton and Parishville. Every meeting was very informative.”

Wood said communication was very important during this process. “You need to keep a detailed log of every conversation, every visit, etc. Words get turned around. I applaud the Concerned Citizens for taping all the meetings. It made it easy to go back and review the meetings.“

Wood is ready to move on.

“As a friend just told me, my task now is to heal the wounds,” she said.

The supervisor has one more year in her term, which ends December of 2019. “I am unsure at this time if I will run for re-election,” she said.